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United States Patent | 6,127,811 |
Shenoy ,   et al. | October 3, 2000 |
The present invention includes a micro-electromechanical system and voltage shifter, method of synchronizing an electronic system and a micromechanical system of a micro-electromechanical system. According to one aspect, the present invention provides a micro-electromechanical system voltage shifter including at least one node; a capacitor including plural opposing conductive plates; a micromechanical system configured to vary the capacitance of the capacitor; an electrical system configured to selectively couple the capacitor and the at least one node; and a mixer configured to output a product signal to synchronize the micromechanical system and the electrical system. Another aspect provides a method of synchronizing an electronic system and a micromechanical system of a micro-electromechanical system voltage shifter, the method including providing a capacitor and at least one node; varying the capacitance of the capacitor using a micromechanical system; selectively coupling the capacitor with the at least one node using an electrical system to one of charge the capacitor and provide sampling of the voltage of the capacitor; and synchronizing the electrical system and the micromechanical system.
Inventors: | Shenoy; Jayarama N. (Santa Clara, CA); Bothra; Subhas (San Jose, CA) |
Assignee: | VLSI Technology, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) |
Appl. No.: | 228707 |
Filed: | January 12, 1999 |
Current U.S. Class: | 320/166 |
Intern'l Class: | H01M 010/46 |
Field of Search: | 320/166 333/202,205 73/514.01,514.35,514.36 |
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